Commerce, Industry and Tourism Minister Neoklis Sylikiotis has welcomed the increase in tourist arrivals by 4.6% during the first nine months of 2012, compared to the same period in 2011.
Addressing the AGM (annual general meeting) of the Paphos Regional Board of Tourism, the Minister said that more efforts should be made, by the Board and the stakeholders, since, as he noted, developments in tourism may turn things around easily.
He added that the city and District of Paphos attracted one third of total tourist arrivals in Cyprus, and a similar share concerning domestic tourism.
The UK is the most important market for Paphos, Sylikiotis added, with 3 Britons in every 5 visitors, while the Russian market ranked second.
Average spending per tourist and average daily spending per visitor in Paphos were almost 10% higher than the Cyprus-wide indicators, the Minister noted.
He said that the positive results and the overall positive image Paphos retains as a tourist destination is the outcome of good coordination between the government, the Cyprus Tourism Organisation, local authorities and businesspeople and the Paphos Tourism Board.
The Commerce Minister also said that he was satisfied by the good work the Board has produced, noting that the government will continue to support its efforts, along similar efforts of other regional Tourism Boards.